New for old

She was going to go up to the new houses today, I wondered how she
would manage with the outing, whether she was ready. I'd been there
myself and I allowed myself to imagine what she would feel.
She'd go and make small talk with the sales assistant first, then she'd
look around the biggest house. How startled would she be by the view
from the kitchen window, would she break down? No, she'd remember her
breathing exercises and move on upstairs. Of course the view from
upstairs might create some other reaction but she'd be ready by then.
Which bedroom would she settle on? The master bedroom with the view
towards the church or the smaller bedroom with the same view as the
kitchen? Who knew how her mind would cope?

I approached the new estate with trepidation. The show house had just
opened and I stepped inside the front door. Everything smelt so new and
creamy; I made some small talk with the sales assistant and went into
the kitchen. It seemed so small, all crammed together, was there enough
room to move around? As I looked out of the window shock took hold of
me. The view was startling, I gripped the worktop to steady myself and
managed a deep breath. I turned and noticed some plastic food on the
table, almost real looking. A strange thing to remember. I made my way
upstairs to view the two and a half bedrooms, plus bathroom. I was
surprised at how much space they had created in the master bedroom; it
was comfortable and pleasing. The view from the window looked out
uninterrupted over the church. I'd been able to go there myself a few
times now. I had another look around the upstairs and then went down to
the lounge. It had the same view as the main bedroom.
I checked the prices with the sales assistant and looked at the
development plan. There were some houses available with slightly
different outlooks. As I left I turned and looked back at the new
estate and then went back to the home.

As she came in I saw her smile. Everything was okay.

'How much compensation will I get?' she asked me.

I showed her the papers to remind her.

'Not much compensation for thirty years incarceration up there, is it?'
she was pointing beyond the new estate. 'The new owners won't
experience what I went through in that old building - Thank God.'